"She wants to see what's real," Grisham told CNN during a press briefing of her reason for visiting the facility. "She wanted to see as close to what she had been seeing on TV. She wants to see a realistic view of what's happening." Grisham said Melania has seen the images and audio of children in detention centers and was concerned about them. "The images struck her, as a mother, as a human being."

Melania changed into a different outfit before heading to meet the children.

Her visit comes right after President Trump signed an executive order to end the much-maligned family separations. The administration had previously insisted it's up to Congress to stop the practice.

"Her goals are to thank law enforcement and social services providers for their hard work, lend support, and hear more on how the administration can build upon the already existing efforts to reunite children with their families," said Grisham.

NEW: @FLOTUS spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham when asked what message the first lady's jacket intends to send: "It's a jacket. There was no hidden message. After today's important visit to Texas, I hope this isn't what the media is going to choose to focus on."

Grisham said Melania wanted to take the trip before Trump ever signed the executive order. "She wants to see what’s happening for herself and she wants to lend her support, executive order or not. The executive order certainly is helping pave the way a little bit, but there’s still a lot to be done."

Melania visited Upbring New Hope Children’s Shelter, part of Lutheran Social Services, a Health and Human Services facility that houses 55 kids ages 12 to 17. She was traveling with HHS Secretary Alex Azar. The kids are reportedly in the facility an average of 58 days. After leaving, they get placed with their parents about half the time, while 40% are placed with another relative in the U.S. and 10% go to foster care, family friends, or volunteer sponsors.

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During the visit to the HHS facility, Melania visited classrooms and interacted with children. According to the White House, most of the children in the shelter are from Guatemala and all but six came to the U.S. as unaccompanied minors. She shook hands, and asked the kids where they are from, as well as questions like, "Are you all friends?" She also said, "Be kind and nice to each other, okay? Nice to meet you."

“Good luck,” the First Lady told detained a group of detained children as she left a shelter in Texas, per pool.